Meet Lon Barrera | Actor & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lon Barrera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lon, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I listen to other people and glean what I would like to be and what I want to insure I avoid. I try my hardest to make sure everyone is heard and considered in every decision I make as both an actor and as a director. It’s important for me, particularly as a director to create a fun, safe, creative place for people to work, on both sides of the footlights

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been working in local theatre for over 30 years. There were some really rough times, where I figured “I’d never work in this town again.” There have also been times where I have literally been on top of the world as I was working consistently in really terrific projects. Was it easy? Rarely, but being in the theatre, as an actor or director is where I feel most alive and even when it’s horribly tough, it’s always worth it. I overcame those challenges by taking a moment and seeing what I could learn from the experience — that always helped get over a hump.

I’d have to say the biggest lesson I think I’ve learned over the course of my theatrical career is to always lead with kindness. Kindness is SO much easier than bitterness or anger and it’s helped me lead a more empathetic life overall. That’s what I’d like the world to know about me as a theatre artist.

He is kind, likes to take risks and does good work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to the theatre! There are some amazing theatre companies in this town — all you have to do is look around and you’ll find something great.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to Shoutout all the directors I’ve learned from. Particularly Cheryl Denson, BJ Cleveland, Derek Whitener, Andi Allen and so many others. They helped guide me to some of my most memorable roles as an actor and help shape who I am as a director. I MUST shoutout my theatre wife, Kristin Spires. I couldn’t have done most of what I’ve done as a director without her.

Also, I have to give props to every actor who has ever trusted me while I was directing. There is nothing like the delicate dance of actor and director and it’s been amazing to be on both sides of that dance.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lon.barrera

Image Credits
Mike Morgan Jason Pendleton